OpenAI is a software company focused on artificial intelligence research. Its mission is to ensure that the benefits of AI are accessible to all of humanity. OpenAI has created a number of large language models (LLM) and image-generation models that could revolutionize a number of technologies, including robotics.

ChatGPT has sparked an innovation race that is finding its way into many robotic solutions. Not only can ChatGPT generate viable software code, but its APIs are also being integrated by robotics manufacturers to demonstrate the ability of a robot to understand and parse voice instructions.

In one demo in 2023, Agility Robotics integrated its Digit humanoid with ChatGPT. The only voice command given to the robot was, “Hey Digit, clean up this mess.”

Digit heard the command and used an LLM to interpret how best to perform the task. At no point was Digit instructed on how to clean or told what a mess is, according to Agility Robotics. The company said this is an example of bridging the conversational nature of ChatGPT and other LLMs to generate real-world physical action.

In another demo, Boston Dynamics integrated its Spot quadruped with ChatGPT to generate multiple interactive “personalities” for the robot. Spot took on the voice of a British butler, a Shakespearean actor, a pirate, and a sarcastic teenager.

For the entire robotics industry, the availability of large language models like ChatGPT is making new and unanticipated breakthroughs possible and accelerating the entire robotics industry forward faster than anticipated.

OpenAI’s development of ChatGPT has demonstrated the potential of LLMs. Numerous software and AI companies, from Google and Amazon to untold startups, are exploring and building out generative AI capabilities.

Explore the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024.